Press Release

(Trenton, New Jersey, October 22, 2007) — As the anniversary of the decision in Lambda Legal's marriage equality lawsuit approaches, the organization sent a letter to Governor Corzine, Senate President Codey and Speaker Roberts urging them to pass a marriage equality bill.

The letter is signed by Kevin Cathcart, Lambda Legal's Executive Director, a native New Jerseyan.

Text of the letter:

(New York, October 17, 2007) — Lambda Legal announces the hire of two new attorneys, Flor Bermudez and Tom Ude, to its national headquarters in New York.

"Flor Bermudez and Tom Ude both have impressive legal experience and a commitment to furthering civil rights. We are excited to welcome them to Lambda Legal," said Jon W. Davidson, Legal Director of Lambda Legal. "We look forward to their individual talents and experiences helping advance Lambda Legal's work in the future."

(New York, October 18, 2007) — In an effort to persuade the Ithaca City School District to abandon its stance that the New York Human Rights Law does not apply to public schools, Lambda Legal today sent school board members a letter critiquing the board's argument and explaining the potential harm the board's position could cause.

"The human rights law is the only effective law that expressly addresses antigay discrimination in New York Schools," said Hayley Gorenberg, Deputy Legal Director at Lambda Legal. Attacking it jeopardizes LGBT students."

(Sacramento, October 15, 2007) — Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Friday signed legislation that will provide relief to domestic partners who paid unexpected, discriminatory property taxes prior to Jan. 1, 2006.

The Fair and Equal Taxation for Surviving Partners Act, authored by Sen. Christine Kehoe, D-San Diego, drafted by Lambda Legal, and sponsored by Equality California, ends tax increases for domestic partners who separated or lost a partner before a 2006 law went into effect protecting them against unfair property reassessments.

(San Francisco, CA, October 3, 2007) — In a resounding victory, a California Court of Appeal unanimously affirmed the validity of a Board of Equalization rule that protects domestic partners from increased property taxes when one of the partners dies and the other inherits the couple's home.  California law has long provided this protection for surviving heterosexual spouses.     

(New York, October 4, 2007) — Lambda Legal, AIDS Foundation of Chicago and the Center for HIV Law and Policy are sending a set of 15 HIV testing principles to help guide the 23 state and local public health departments, announced last week, that will receive funding by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) to conduct increased HIV testing campaigns.

(New York, October 1, 2007) — Lambda Legal and Workers' Rights Law Center of New York are representing the Hudson Valley LGBTQ Community Center to secure exemption from real property taxes after its application was wrongfully denied by the City of Kingston, New York.

(San Francisco, CA, September 26, 2007) In 30 amicus briefs submitted today to the California Supreme Court, scores of religious, civil rights, and child advocacy organizations, along with numerous California municipal governments, bar associations, and leading legal scholars, urged the court to put an end to state laws that deny same-sex couples the protections of marriage.

(New Brunswick, NJ, September 26, 2007)—Lambda Legal Marriage Project Director, David Buckel who was lead attorney on the Lewis v. Harris marriage equality lawsuit in New Jersey and clients from the recent UPS matter will provide testimony tonight at the New Jersey Civil Union Review Commission hearing in New Brunswick.